News Analysis India

Tag: Amit Shah

  • Historical ‘Sengol’ from Tamil Nadu to be installed in new Parliament: Amit Shah

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: ‘Sengol’, a historical sceptre from Tamil Nadu, which was received by first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to represent the transfer of power from the British and was kept in a museum in Allahabad will be installed in the new Parliament building to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Wednesday.

    Shah said the purpose of the installation was clear then and even now.

    He said that the transfer of power is not merely a handshake or signing a document and that it must remain connected with local traditions keeping in mind modern needs.

    “Sengol represents the same feeling that Jawaharlal Nehru felt on August 14, 1947,” he said.

    The Home Minister said that the new Parliament building is an example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s far-sightedness. He said the Prime Minister will honour 7,000 workers (shram yogis) on the inauguration.

    Shah said invitations for the inauguration of the new Parliament Building were sent to all political parties who were free to act according to their wisdom.

    ‘Reconsider decision to boycott inauguration’

    Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday termed the decision taken by 19 opposition parties to boycott the inauguration ceremony as “unfortunate” and urged them to reconsider their stand.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the new Parliament building on Sunday.

    The opposition parties contend that President Droupadi Murmu should do the honours as she was not only the Head of State, but also an integral part of Parliament as she summons, prorogues, and addresses it.

    “Boycotting and making an issue out of a non-issue is most unfortunate. I appeal to them to reconsider their decision and join the function,” Joshi told reporters here on the sidelines of a national workshop on the National e-Vidhan Application.

    Joshi said the Lok Sabha Speaker was the custodian of Parliament and he has extended an invitation to the prime minister to inaugurate the building.

    NEW DELHI: ‘Sengol’, a historical sceptre from Tamil Nadu, which was received by first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to represent the transfer of power from the British and was kept in a museum in Allahabad will be installed in the new Parliament building to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Wednesday.

    Shah said the purpose of the installation was clear then and even now.

    He said that the transfer of power is not merely a handshake or signing a document and that it must remain connected with local traditions keeping in mind modern needs.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “Sengol represents the same feeling that Jawaharlal Nehru felt on August 14, 1947,” he said.

    The Home Minister said that the new Parliament building is an example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s far-sightedness. He said the Prime Minister will honour 7,000 workers (shram yogis) on the inauguration.

    Shah said invitations for the inauguration of the new Parliament Building were sent to all political parties who were free to act according to their wisdom.

    ‘Reconsider decision to boycott inauguration’

    Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday termed the decision taken by 19 opposition parties to boycott the inauguration ceremony as “unfortunate” and urged them to reconsider their stand.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the new Parliament building on Sunday.

    The opposition parties contend that President Droupadi Murmu should do the honours as she was not only the Head of State, but also an integral part of Parliament as she summons, prorogues, and addresses it.

    “Boycotting and making an issue out of a non-issue is most unfortunate. I appeal to them to reconsider their decision and join the function,” Joshi told reporters here on the sidelines of a national workshop on the National e-Vidhan Application.

    Joshi said the Lok Sabha Speaker was the custodian of Parliament and he has extended an invitation to the prime minister to inaugurate the building.

  • PM works for country, PM is not the country: Sibal on Shah’s ‘insult to country’ remark

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI:  Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Monday took a swipe at Home Minister Amit Shah’s ‘insult to the prime minister is an insult to the country’ remark, saying his understanding of the Constitution is that the PM is not the country but works for it.

    Sibal’s dig came a day after Shah, while addressing a national convention of the Modi community in Ahmedabad, referred to Purnesh Modi’s defamation suit that led to Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as an MP over his “Modi surname” remark.

    “If someone insults a person, it is not a big deal, but if someone insults an entire community and country’s PM, then it is an insult to the entire country. Purneshbhai fought this battle with firmness and won it. I congratulate him and others for fighting a battle for the dignity of your community. Entire country is with you,” Shah had said.

    Reacting to Shah’s remarks, Sibal said on Twitter, “Amit Shah: ‘Insult to PM is insult to country’. Amitji my understanding of the constitution is that: PM works for the country, PM is not the country. Just as: Government works for the country, government is not the country.”

    In his remarks, Shah said PM Modi gave the OBCs their due respect and understood the pain of poor citizens because he himself was born in such a family.

    Sibal, who was a Union minister during UPA 1 and 2, had quit the Congress in May last year and was elected to the Rajya Sabha as an Independent member with the Samajwadi Party’s support.

    He recently floated a non-electoral platform ‘Insaaf’ aimed at fighting injustice.

    Amit Shah :“Insult to PM is insult to country”Amitji my understanding of the constitution is that :PM works for the countryPM is not the countryJust as :Government works for the countryGovernment is not the country
    — Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) May 22, 2023

    NEW DELHI:  Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Monday took a swipe at Home Minister Amit Shah’s ‘insult to the prime minister is an insult to the country’ remark, saying his understanding of the Constitution is that the PM is not the country but works for it.

    Sibal’s dig came a day after Shah, while addressing a national convention of the Modi community in Ahmedabad, referred to Purnesh Modi’s defamation suit that led to Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as an MP over his “Modi surname” remark.

    “If someone insults a person, it is not a big deal, but if someone insults an entire community and country’s PM, then it is an insult to the entire country. Purneshbhai fought this battle with firmness and won it. I congratulate him and others for fighting a battle for the dignity of your community. Entire country is with you,” Shah had said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Reacting to Shah’s remarks, Sibal said on Twitter, “Amit Shah: ‘Insult to PM is insult to country’. Amitji my understanding of the constitution is that: PM works for the country, PM is not the country. Just as: Government works for the country, government is not the country.”

    In his remarks, Shah said PM Modi gave the OBCs their due respect and understood the pain of poor citizens because he himself was born in such a family.

    Sibal, who was a Union minister during UPA 1 and 2, had quit the Congress in May last year and was elected to the Rajya Sabha as an Independent member with the Samajwadi Party’s support.

    He recently floated a non-electoral platform ‘Insaaf’ aimed at fighting injustice.

    Amit Shah :
    “Insult to PM is insult to country”
    Amitji my understanding of the constitution is that :
    PM works for the country
    PM is not the country
    Just as :
    Government works for the country
    Government is not the country
    — Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) May 22, 2023

  • Assam, Arunachal sign pact in Amit Shah’s presence to resolve 50-year-old border dispute

    Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to resolve their 50-year-old border dispute which covered 123 villages and nearly 800 km of the interstate boundary.

    The MoU was signed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Arunachal counterpart Pema Khandu in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.

    “We have witnessed a historic moment of the Northeast and India today. The two states have resolved a border dispute that raged since 1972. I congratulate chief ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma, Pema Khandu, (Union minister) Kiren Rijiju and the people of Assam and Arunachal,” Shah said.

    The two states had formed regional committees which visited the disputed sites, talked to the locals and took them into confidence as they resolved the problem, Shah said.

    “We have today crossed an important milestone of (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji’s dream for a developed, peaceful and dispute-free Northeast,” the Union home minister said.

    ALSO READ | Nobody can cast evil eye on us or encroach upon our land, says Amit Shah in Arunachal

    He highlighted various other agreements signed under the NDA such as the one for the resettlement of displaced Brus, Assam-Meghalaya border MoU and peace agreements signed with militant groups in Tripura and Assam’s Karbi Anglong and Bodoland Territorial Region. He said after the signing of the peace pacts, over 8,000 rebels abjured arms and joined the mainstream.

    “There has been a 67% decrease in violent incidents and 60% decrease in the deaths of security personnel. Deaths of civilians (in violence) also dropped by 83%,” Shah said.

    He said Meghalaya and Tripura were today completely free from the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA).

    “AFSPA has been lifted from 70% areas of Assam, 15 police station areas in six districts of Manipur and seven districts of Nagaland. In Arunachal, it is enforced only in three districts,” he said.

    Stating that Modi visited the Northeast more than 50 times since 2014 and gave importance to the region’s language, culture and literature, Shah said the PM played a key role in popularising Bihu and the Bihu dance globally.

    Describing it as a “historic day”, the Assam CM said the Union home minister had called him and Khandu to Delhi in September last year and asked them to resolve the border dispute.

    “The two of us met thrice. Subsequently, the regional committees were constituted by both states and they visited the villages. Today, we have solved almost the entire dispute,” Sarma said, adding, “I am hopeful that we will also be able to resolve our problem with Mizoram and Nagaland.”

    Khandu was confident the agreement signed with Assam would develop the relationship between the people of the two states.

    GUWAHATI: Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to resolve their 50-year-old border dispute which covered 123 villages and nearly 800 km of the interstate boundary.

    The MoU was signed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Arunachal counterpart Pema Khandu in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.

    “We have witnessed a historic moment of the Northeast and India today. The two states have resolved a border dispute that raged since 1972. I congratulate chief ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma, Pema Khandu, (Union minister) Kiren Rijiju and the people of Assam and Arunachal,” Shah said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The two states had formed regional committees which visited the disputed sites, talked to the locals and took them into confidence as they resolved the problem, Shah said.

    “We have today crossed an important milestone of (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji’s dream for a developed, peaceful and dispute-free Northeast,” the Union home minister said.

    ALSO READ | Nobody can cast evil eye on us or encroach upon our land, says Amit Shah in Arunachal

    He highlighted various other agreements signed under the NDA such as the one for the resettlement of displaced Brus, Assam-Meghalaya border MoU and peace agreements signed with militant groups in Tripura and Assam’s Karbi Anglong and Bodoland Territorial Region. He said after the signing of the peace pacts, over 8,000 rebels abjured arms and joined the mainstream.

    “There has been a 67% decrease in violent incidents and 60% decrease in the deaths of security personnel. Deaths of civilians (in violence) also dropped by 83%,” Shah said.

    He said Meghalaya and Tripura were today completely free from the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA).

    “AFSPA has been lifted from 70% areas of Assam, 15 police station areas in six districts of Manipur and seven districts of Nagaland. In Arunachal, it is enforced only in three districts,” he said.

    Stating that Modi visited the Northeast more than 50 times since 2014 and gave importance to the region’s language, culture and literature, Shah said the PM played a key role in popularising Bihu and the Bihu dance globally.

    Describing it as a “historic day”, the Assam CM said the Union home minister had called him and Khandu to Delhi in September last year and asked them to resolve the border dispute.

    “The two of us met thrice. Subsequently, the regional committees were constituted by both states and they visited the villages. Today, we have solved almost the entire dispute,” Sarma said, adding, “I am hopeful that we will also be able to resolve our problem with Mizoram and Nagaland.”

    Khandu was confident the agreement signed with Assam would develop the relationship between the people of the two states.

  • India rejects China’s objections to Amit Shah’s Arunachal Pradesh visit

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: A day after China raised objections to Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said the northeastern state was an “integral and inalienable part of India”.

    “Such objections do not stand to reason and will not change reality,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

    “We completely reject the comments made by the Chinese official spokesperson. Indian leaders routinely travel to the state of Arunachal Pradesh as they do to any other state of India,” Bagchi said.

    “Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India. Objecting to such visits does not stand to reason and will not change the above reality,” he said.

    China had raised an objection when Amit Shah visited Arunachal Pradesh and launched the ‘Vibrant Villages Programme’ from Kibithoo, a village along the India-China border and India’s easternmost place.

    Addressing a gathering, the Home Minister, in a clear message to China, said no one can dare cast an evil eye on India’s territorial integrity and encroach even an “inch of our land”.

    ALSO READ | Nobody can cast evil eye on us or encroach upon our land, says Amit Shah in Arunachal

    “Times when anyone could encroach on Indian land have passed. No one can question India’s territorial integrity. Nobody can take even an inch of our land,” he had said.

    Last week, China “renamed” some places in Arunachal Pradesh that it claims as part of its territory. This is the third time that China has “renamed” places in Arunachal Pradesh, which it calls “Zangnan, the southern part of Tibet”.

    India had rejected this claim too and had issued a statement to that effect.

    “We have seen such reports. This is not the first time China has made such an attempt. We reject this outright. Arunachal Pradesh is, has been and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Attempts to assign invented names will not alter this reality,” Bagchi had said on April 4.

    The 11 places ‘renamed’ include five mountain peaks, two residential areas, two land areas and two rivers. The claimed geographical area has always been controlled and administered by India.

    India-China relations have been strained since the Galwan incident in June 2020 though diplomatically both countries are still connected and are part of groupings like BRICS, G20 and RICs. China has taken part in a number of G20 related events in India uptil now – both physically and virtually.

    NEW DELHI: A day after China raised objections to Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said the northeastern state was an “integral and inalienable part of India”.

    “Such objections do not stand to reason and will not change reality,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

    “We completely reject the comments made by the Chinese official spokesperson. Indian leaders routinely travel to the state of Arunachal Pradesh as they do to any other state of India,” Bagchi said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India. Objecting to such visits does not stand to reason and will not change the above reality,” he said.

    China had raised an objection when Amit Shah visited Arunachal Pradesh and launched the ‘Vibrant Villages Programme’ from Kibithoo, a village along the India-China border and India’s easternmost place.

    Addressing a gathering, the Home Minister, in a clear message to China, said no one can dare cast an evil eye on India’s territorial integrity and encroach even an “inch of our land”.

    ALSO READ | Nobody can cast evil eye on us or encroach upon our land, says Amit Shah in Arunachal

    “Times when anyone could encroach on Indian land have passed. No one can question India’s territorial integrity. Nobody can take even an inch of our land,” he had said.

    Last week, China “renamed” some places in Arunachal Pradesh that it claims as part of its territory. This is the third time that China has “renamed” places in Arunachal Pradesh, which it calls “Zangnan, the southern part of Tibet”.

    India had rejected this claim too and had issued a statement to that effect.

    “We have seen such reports. This is not the first time China has made such an attempt. We reject this outright. Arunachal Pradesh is, has been and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Attempts to assign invented names will not alter this reality,” Bagchi had said on April 4.

    The 11 places ‘renamed’ include five mountain peaks, two residential areas, two land areas and two rivers. The claimed geographical area has always been controlled and administered by India.

    India-China relations have been strained since the Galwan incident in June 2020 though diplomatically both countries are still connected and are part of groupings like BRICS, G20 and RICs. China has taken part in a number of G20 related events in India uptil now – both physically and virtually.

  • Democracy not in danger, dynasty politics is: Shah targets Rahul in UP

    By PTI

    KAUSHAMBI: Attacking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his recent remarks in the UK, Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that it’s not democracy that is in danger, but “your family” and the idea of dynasty politics that is under threat.

    Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating the Kaushambi Mahotsav, Shah accused the Congress of surrounding Indian democracy with three “naasuron” (ulcerous wounds) – casteism, dynasty politics and appeasement.

    But Prime Minister Narendra Modi defeated all three and hence “you are afraid,” he added.

    “They say democracy is in danger, brother, democracy is not in danger, your family is in danger. It is not the idea of India, which is in danger, it is the idea of dynasty, your politics of ‘parivarvad’ (dynasty), which is in danger. It is not the democracy of India, but the autocracy of your family, which is in danger,” the senior BJP leader said.

    During a visit to the UK last month, Gandhi alleged the structures of Indian democracy were under “brutal attack” and a full-scale assault on the country’s institutions was underway. His remarks triggered a war of words between the BJP and Congress.

    The BJP accused Gandhi of “insulting” the country on foreign soil and demanded an apology, but the Congress leader said his position that India’s democracy was under attack “was known” to all.

    Shah also hit out at the Congress party for allegedly not allowing Parliament to function.

    “Yesterday, the Parliament was adjourned. In the history of independent India, it has never happened that the Budget Session ended without a sitting and discussion.What was the reason? Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as Lok Sabha MP,” the Union minister said.

    On March 18, a Surat court sentenced Gandhi for two years in jail in a criminal defamation case filed over his remark against people with the surname “Modi”, but allowed him 30 days to appeal in a higher court.

    A day later, the Lok Sabha Secretariat issued a notification suspending his Lok Sabha membership. The Congress accused the BJP of indulging in “vindictive politics” but the ruling party said it was the law.

    On Friday, addressing the gathering in Kaushambi, Shah asked, “Who brought the law?” He also said Gandhi was not the only leader whose membership has “gone” after sentencing by a court.

    “So far, the membership of 17 MLAs-MPs has gone, including that of Rahul Gandhi.”

    The Union minister asked Gandhi to “follow the law “and secure acquittal from a higher court.

    “Friends, I wish to tell Rahul Gandhi he should follow the law, which is the ‘dharma’ of every citizen. You were an MP. You could have challenged the punishment and fought in court. You have sacrificed the time of Parliament. The people of this country will never forgive you,” Shah said.

    Exhorting the people to vote for BJP again in 2024 general election, Shah also slammed the Congress, SP and the BSP for allegedly delaying the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

    “All of us wanted Ram Temple in Ayodhya to be built at the birthplace of Lord Ram. The Congress kept it (the issue) hanging, the SP diverted it, and the BSP lingered it. Modi ji laid the foundation stone of the temple, and soon you will see Lord Ram seated in his temple,” Shah said.

    He also said that Uttar Pradesh was moving ahead on the path of development under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

    In 2014, the people of UP reposed their faith in PM Modi.

    “In 2017, when I was the BJP chief, the BJP won a record number of 325 seats (in UP) and Modi ji made Yogi ji chief minister. In 2019, the SP, BSP and Congress got united, but all of them were defeated, and Modi ji once again became the prime minister. After this, in 2022 (UP assembly elections) you made Yogi ji the chief minister again,” Shah said.

    “Modi ji has made the country prosperous and enhanced the pride of the country. And the Congress people say ‘Modi teri kabra khudegi’ (Modi your grave will be dug). I want to tell these Congress people that whether it is Sonia ji, Rahul ji or anybody else, whenever abuses are hurled at Modi ji, the public has made the lotus bloom in the mud of these abuses in a strong manner,” Shah asserted.

    “Rahul Baba, this time again Modi ji’s government is going to be formed with ‘300-paar’ (over 300 Lok Sabha seats),” he claimed.

    Meanwhile, Apna Dal (Kamerwadi) MLA from Sirathu constituency (in Kaushambi district), Pallavi Patel claimed she was put under house arrest at her party office and not allowed to welcome the home minister. However, Additional Superintendent of Police Samar Bahadur dismissed Pate

    KAUSHAMBI: Attacking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his recent remarks in the UK, Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that it’s not democracy that is in danger, but “your family” and the idea of dynasty politics that is under threat.

    Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating the Kaushambi Mahotsav, Shah accused the Congress of surrounding Indian democracy with three “naasuron” (ulcerous wounds) – casteism, dynasty politics and appeasement.

    But Prime Minister Narendra Modi defeated all three and hence “you are afraid,” he added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “They say democracy is in danger, brother, democracy is not in danger, your family is in danger. It is not the idea of India, which is in danger, it is the idea of dynasty, your politics of ‘parivarvad’ (dynasty), which is in danger. It is not the democracy of India, but the autocracy of your family, which is in danger,” the senior BJP leader said.

    During a visit to the UK last month, Gandhi alleged the structures of Indian democracy were under “brutal attack” and a full-scale assault on the country’s institutions was underway. His remarks triggered a war of words between the BJP and Congress.

    The BJP accused Gandhi of “insulting” the country on foreign soil and demanded an apology, but the Congress leader said his position that India’s democracy was under attack “was known” to all.

    Shah also hit out at the Congress party for allegedly not allowing Parliament to function.

    “Yesterday, the Parliament was adjourned. In the history of independent India, it has never happened that the Budget Session ended without a sitting and discussion.What was the reason? Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as Lok Sabha MP,” the Union minister said.

    On March 18, a Surat court sentenced Gandhi for two years in jail in a criminal defamation case filed over his remark against people with the surname “Modi”, but allowed him 30 days to appeal in a higher court.

    A day later, the Lok Sabha Secretariat issued a notification suspending his Lok Sabha membership. The Congress accused the BJP of indulging in “vindictive politics” but the ruling party said it was the law.

    On Friday, addressing the gathering in Kaushambi, Shah asked, “Who brought the law?” He also said Gandhi was not the only leader whose membership has “gone” after sentencing by a court.

    “So far, the membership of 17 MLAs-MPs has gone, including that of Rahul Gandhi.”

    The Union minister asked Gandhi to “follow the law “and secure acquittal from a higher court.

    “Friends, I wish to tell Rahul Gandhi he should follow the law, which is the ‘dharma’ of every citizen. You were an MP. You could have challenged the punishment and fought in court. You have sacrificed the time of Parliament. The people of this country will never forgive you,” Shah said.

    Exhorting the people to vote for BJP again in 2024 general election, Shah also slammed the Congress, SP and the BSP for allegedly delaying the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

    “All of us wanted Ram Temple in Ayodhya to be built at the birthplace of Lord Ram. The Congress kept it (the issue) hanging, the SP diverted it, and the BSP lingered it. Modi ji laid the foundation stone of the temple, and soon you will see Lord Ram seated in his temple,” Shah said.

    He also said that Uttar Pradesh was moving ahead on the path of development under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

    In 2014, the people of UP reposed their faith in PM Modi.

    “In 2017, when I was the BJP chief, the BJP won a record number of 325 seats (in UP) and Modi ji made Yogi ji chief minister. In 2019, the SP, BSP and Congress got united, but all of them were defeated, and Modi ji once again became the prime minister. After this, in 2022 (UP assembly elections) you made Yogi ji the chief minister again,” Shah said.

    “Modi ji has made the country prosperous and enhanced the pride of the country. And the Congress people say ‘Modi teri kabra khudegi’ (Modi your grave will be dug). I want to tell these Congress people that whether it is Sonia ji, Rahul ji or anybody else, whenever abuses are hurled at Modi ji, the public has made the lotus bloom in the mud of these abuses in a strong manner,” Shah asserted.

    “Rahul Baba, this time again Modi ji’s government is going to be formed with ‘300-paar’ (over 300 Lok Sabha seats),” he claimed.

    Meanwhile, Apna Dal (Kamerwadi) MLA from Sirathu constituency (in Kaushambi district), Pallavi Patel claimed she was put under house arrest at her party office and not allowed to welcome the home minister. However, Additional Superintendent of Police Samar Bahadur dismissed Pate

  • Rioters will be hung upside down if BJP forms govt in Bihar in 2025: Amit Shah

    By PTI

    HISUA: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday tore into the Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar for “failing to check” communal violence in Sasaram and Bihar Sharif towns and asserted that rioters will be hung upside down if the BJP forms the government in the state in 2025.

    Addressing a rally in Hisua in Nawada district, Shah, widely regarded as the BJP’s principal strategist, asserted that the people of Bihar have decided to ensure the victory of party candidates in all the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 general elections.

    “People of the country have decided that Narendra Modi will become the prime minister for the third consecutive term. Once that happens, Nitish Kumar will go back on his promise of handing over the mantle to his deputy Tejashwi Yadav as his dreams of becoming the PM will be shattered,” he said.

    Shah alleged that Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar have practiced politics of appeasement which has helped terrorism flourish, while Modi has scrapped Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “The BJP can never join hands with Nitish Kumar, who spreads venom of casteism, and ‘Jungle Raj’ pioneer Lalu Prasad,” Shah said, while reiterating that BJP’s doors are always closed for the Bihar CM.

    He claimed that Congress, JD(U), RJD, TMC opposed the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, while “one fine morning, Modi laid the foundation of a sky-high temple there”.

    On the communal violence in the state, he added, “I pray to God that normalcy returns soon.When I spoke to the governor in the morning, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh became angry and asked why I was bothered about Bihar. I am the Union home minister and Bihar’s law and order situation is my concern as well.”

    HISUA: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday tore into the Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar for “failing to check” communal violence in Sasaram and Bihar Sharif towns and asserted that rioters will be hung upside down if the BJP forms the government in the state in 2025.

    Addressing a rally in Hisua in Nawada district, Shah, widely regarded as the BJP’s principal strategist, asserted that the people of Bihar have decided to ensure the victory of party candidates in all the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 general elections.

    “People of the country have decided that Narendra Modi will become the prime minister for the third consecutive term. Once that happens, Nitish Kumar will go back on his promise of handing over the mantle to his deputy Tejashwi Yadav as his dreams of becoming the PM will be shattered,” he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Shah alleged that Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar have practiced politics of appeasement which has helped terrorism flourish, while Modi has scrapped Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “The BJP can never join hands with Nitish Kumar, who spreads venom of casteism, and ‘Jungle Raj’ pioneer Lalu Prasad,” Shah said, while reiterating that BJP’s doors are always closed for the Bihar CM.

    He claimed that Congress, JD(U), RJD, TMC opposed the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, while “one fine morning, Modi laid the foundation of a sky-high temple there”.

    On the communal violence in the state, he added, “I pray to God that normalcy returns soon.When I spoke to the governor in the morning, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh became angry and asked why I was bothered about Bihar. I am the Union home minister and Bihar’s law and order situation is my concern as well.”

  • Jairam Ramesh seeks CBI probe into Amit Shah’s ‘Sangma govt most corrupt’ remark

    By IANS

    NEW DELHI/SHILLONG: Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to summon Home Minister Amit Shah over his remark describing Meghalaya government headed by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, in its previous term, as “most corrupt” and to investigate the claim.

    Attaching his letter to CBI Director Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, he tweeted: “I have written to the Director of CBI asking CBI to question the Home Minister further on his categorical assertion that Conrad Sangma’s Govt in Meghalaya was the most corrupt in the country

    “That of course did not prevent BJP from supporting the same Conrad Sangma again”.

    Ramesh, in his letter to Jaiswal, said that Shah had said in his public speech on February 17 that the then Meghlaya government headed by Sangma was the most corrupt government in the country.

    “Amit Shah is also the Home Minister of India. In his capacity as the Home Minister, he would surely have had access to information and facts that led him to the above conclusion. For some inexplicable reasons, the Home Minister, who is also the former national President of Bharatiya Janata Party, has failed to act upon the information regarding the corrupt practices and instances of the then Meghalaya government,” he said.

    Ramesh requested the CBI Director to summon Shah and ask him to submit all the information and facts that led him to state assessment and investigate the matter.

    “We also urge you to investigate if the Home Minister of India was under any undue duress from his party or other forces, to suppress the information related to the corruption of Meghalaya, in order to enable his party Bharatiya Janata Party to support the same Chief Minister after the recent Meghalaya elections,” the letter said.

    The Congress letter also attached media reports on Shah’s remarks during the campaigning for Meghalaya Assembly polls, held on February 27.

    The Congress leaders in Meghalaya have been criticising the BJP for supporting a government led by National People’s Party chief Sangma even after terming the previous government led by the same party as the “most corrupt”.

    The Congress also termed the NPP led coalition formed for the second consecutive term as a “marriage of convenience”.

    The BJP with two MLAs is a part of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government dominated by the NPP, which secured 26 seats in the 60-member Assembly. Various other local parties are supporting the MDA government. 

    NEW DELHI/SHILLONG: Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to summon Home Minister Amit Shah over his remark describing Meghalaya government headed by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, in its previous term, as “most corrupt” and to investigate the claim.

    Attaching his letter to CBI Director Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, he tweeted: “I have written to the Director of CBI asking CBI to question the Home Minister further on his categorical assertion that Conrad Sangma’s Govt in Meghalaya was the most corrupt in the country

    “That of course did not prevent BJP from supporting the same Conrad Sangma again”.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Ramesh, in his letter to Jaiswal, said that Shah had said in his public speech on February 17 that the then Meghlaya government headed by Sangma was the most corrupt government in the country.

    “Amit Shah is also the Home Minister of India. In his capacity as the Home Minister, he would surely have had access to information and facts that led him to the above conclusion. For some inexplicable reasons, the Home Minister, who is also the former national President of Bharatiya Janata Party, has failed to act upon the information regarding the corrupt practices and instances of the then Meghalaya government,” he said.

    Ramesh requested the CBI Director to summon Shah and ask him to submit all the information and facts that led him to state assessment and investigate the matter.

    “We also urge you to investigate if the Home Minister of India was under any undue duress from his party or other forces, to suppress the information related to the corruption of Meghalaya, in order to enable his party Bharatiya Janata Party to support the same Chief Minister after the recent Meghalaya elections,” the letter said.

    The Congress letter also attached media reports on Shah’s remarks during the campaigning for Meghalaya Assembly polls, held on February 27.

    The Congress leaders in Meghalaya have been criticising the BJP for supporting a government led by National People’s Party chief Sangma even after terming the previous government led by the same party as the “most corrupt”.

    The Congress also termed the NPP led coalition formed for the second consecutive term as a “marriage of convenience”.

    The BJP with two MLAs is a part of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government dominated by the NPP, which secured 26 seats in the 60-member Assembly. Various other local parties are supporting the MDA government.
     

  • ‘Nothing for BJP to hide and be afraid of”: Amit Shah on Hindenburg-Adani row

    By ANI

    AGARTALA: With the opposition targeting the BJP-led government over the Hindenburg-Adani row, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that it will not be appropriate for him to comment as the Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the matter but there is nothing “for the BJP to hide or be afraid of”.

    “The Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the matter. As a minister, if the Supreme Court is seized of the matter it is not right for me to comment. But in this, there is nothing for the BJP to hide and nothing to be afraid of,” Shah said in an exclusive interview with ANI.

    The Hindenburg-Adani row has turned into a major political controversy with the Congress and other opposition parties making allegations of favouritism and crony capitalism against the government. They raised the issue during the budget session of parliament demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe.

    The opposition parties have also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

    They have sought questions over the investment of LIC and some public sector banks in the Adani group. The government has rejected the allegations with PSUs and regulatory bodies also issuing statements about their following the norms and acting to their mandates.

    The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court that SEBI had agreed to constitute a committee to protect investor interests following Hindenburg’s report on Adani Group.

    Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed a bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud that SEBI is completely equipped to deal with the situation that took place due to a recent report by Hindenburg Research.

    Mehta also said that the government has no objection to appointing a committee to suggest how to ensure investors are protected in the future. However, he said that the remit of the committee is important since it has an effect internationally and that the government will provide names in a sealed cover.

    Asked about Rahul Gandhi’s recent speech in Lok Sabha, which was almost entirely concerned with the Adani group, Shah said it is for the Congress leader or his scriptwriters to decide what speech he wants to give.

    “What speech he wants to give is for him or his speech writers to think,” he said.

    Reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s “crony capitalism” allegation against BJP, Shah said. “There is no question. Nobody has been able to level such an allegation against the BJP to date. During their (Congress) era, agencies, be it CAG or CBI, they had registered cases taking cognizance of corruption. There were scams of Rs 12 lakh crore.”

    Asked about allegations of Congress and other opposition parties of BJP “capturing institutions”, Shah said they should go to court noting that courts are not under influence of the BJP.

    “Court ‘humare kabze mein nahi hai,” he said.

    “Why don’t they go to the court? Even at the time when the Pegasus issue was raised, I had said to go with proofs to the court…They only know how to create noise. Those who approached the court, the court took cognizance of Pegasus and also delivered its judgement. The investigation was also done,” he added.

    Asked about BJP spokespersons indicating that there is such “conspiracy” ahead of elections, he said it is for them to reply.

    “Thousands of conspiracies cannot harm the truth. Truth shines bright like the sun. They have been doing it since 2002 against PM Narendra Modi. And every time, he has emerged stronger, truthfully and by gaining more popularity among people every time,” he said when asked if there is a conspiracy in the wake of the Hindenburg report and BBC documentary.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech at the Lok Sabha in reply to the debate on the motion of thanks on the President’s address had lashed out at the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, saying that it converted “every opportunity into a crisis” during its 10 years at the helm between 2004 and 2014. PM Modi said UPA’s term at the helm between 2004 and 2014 was “full of scams”. (ANI)

    AGARTALA: With the opposition targeting the BJP-led government over the Hindenburg-Adani row, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that it will not be appropriate for him to comment as the Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the matter but there is nothing “for the BJP to hide or be afraid of”.

    “The Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the matter. As a minister, if the Supreme Court is seized of the matter it is not right for me to comment. But in this, there is nothing for the BJP to hide and nothing to be afraid of,” Shah said in an exclusive interview with ANI.

    The Hindenburg-Adani row has turned into a major political controversy with the Congress and other opposition parties making allegations of favouritism and crony capitalism against the government. They raised the issue during the budget session of parliament demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe.

    The opposition parties have also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

    They have sought questions over the investment of LIC and some public sector banks in the Adani group. The government has rejected the allegations with PSUs and regulatory bodies also issuing statements about their following the norms and acting to their mandates.

    The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court that SEBI had agreed to constitute a committee to protect investor interests following Hindenburg’s report on Adani Group.

    Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed a bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud that SEBI is completely equipped to deal with the situation that took place due to a recent report by Hindenburg Research.

    Mehta also said that the government has no objection to appointing a committee to suggest how to ensure investors are protected in the future. However, he said that the remit of the committee is important since it has an effect internationally and that the government will provide names in a sealed cover.

    Asked about Rahul Gandhi’s recent speech in Lok Sabha, which was almost entirely concerned with the Adani group, Shah said it is for the Congress leader or his scriptwriters to decide what speech he wants to give.

    “What speech he wants to give is for him or his speech writers to think,” he said.

    Reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s “crony capitalism” allegation against BJP, Shah said. “There is no question. Nobody has been able to level such an allegation against the BJP to date. During their (Congress) era, agencies, be it CAG or CBI, they had registered cases taking cognizance of corruption. There were scams of Rs 12 lakh crore.”

    Asked about allegations of Congress and other opposition parties of BJP “capturing institutions”, Shah said they should go to court noting that courts are not under influence of the BJP.

    “Court ‘humare kabze mein nahi hai,” he said.

    “Why don’t they go to the court? Even at the time when the Pegasus issue was raised, I had said to go with proofs to the court…They only know how to create noise. Those who approached the court, the court took cognizance of Pegasus and also delivered its judgement. The investigation was also done,” he added.

    Asked about BJP spokespersons indicating that there is such “conspiracy” ahead of elections, he said it is for them to reply.

    “Thousands of conspiracies cannot harm the truth. Truth shines bright like the sun. They have been doing it since 2002 against PM Narendra Modi. And every time, he has emerged stronger, truthfully and by gaining more popularity among people every time,” he said when asked if there is a conspiracy in the wake of the Hindenburg report and BBC documentary.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech at the Lok Sabha in reply to the debate on the motion of thanks on the President’s address had lashed out at the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, saying that it converted “every opportunity into a crisis” during its 10 years at the helm between 2004 and 2014. PM Modi said UPA’s term at the helm between 2004 and 2014 was “full of scams”. (ANI)

  • NIA will probe Rajouri twin attacks, says Amit Shah

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Jammu police will jointly investigate the recent twin militant attacks in Rajouri village in which seven civilians were killed, Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday, adding that the attack will be avenged and perpetrators brought before the court of law and dealt severe punishment.

    He also sought to reassure the people of a secure atmosphere with a new action plan by establishing a 360-degree security net for the Jammu region. Shah arrived in Jammu to visit the family members of the seven civilians killed in the twin attacks on January 1 and 2. However, he could not visit the area due to inclement weather. Later, he reached out to the families on the phone. 

    “I talked to the families and heard their issues. All of them said the area belongs to them and they won’t leave it. Their spirit is an example for the whole country,” he told reporters in Jammu. Shah also chaired a high-level meeting, attended by J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha along with top security and intelligence officials, to review the security situation in Jammu. 

    Meanwhile, the NIA has filed a chargesheet in a special court in Jammu against Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Sajjad Gul and five others in connection with the interception of a drone laden with magnetic bombs in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district in May year.  

    SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Jammu police will jointly investigate the recent twin militant attacks in Rajouri village in which seven civilians were killed, Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday, adding that the attack will be avenged and perpetrators brought before the court of law and dealt severe punishment.

    He also sought to reassure the people of a secure atmosphere with a new action plan by establishing a 360-degree security net for the Jammu region. Shah arrived in Jammu to visit the family members of the seven civilians killed in the twin attacks on January 1 and 2. However, he could not visit the area due to inclement weather. Later, he reached out to the families on the phone. 

    “I talked to the families and heard their issues. All of them said the area belongs to them and they won’t leave it. Their spirit is an example for the whole country,” he told reporters in Jammu. Shah also chaired a high-level meeting, attended by J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha along with top security and intelligence officials, to review the security situation in Jammu. 

    Meanwhile, the NIA has filed a chargesheet in a special court in Jammu against Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Sajjad Gul and five others in connection with the interception of a drone laden with magnetic bombs in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district in May year. 
     

  • ‘Hemant Soren is tribal but Jharkhand government is anti-tribal’, says Amit Shah

    Express News Service

    RANCHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Hemant Soren, claiming the Jharkhand government was working against the interests of the Tribal community 

    Speaking at the BJP’s Vikas Mahasankalp rally on Saturday, Shah claimed the Jharkhand government was “anti-tribal” despite having a tribal Chief Minister and accused Soren of playing vote bank politics.

    “The Chief Minister of this state is a tribal, but his government is anti-tribal. Corruption is at its peak in this government, which is favourable for mediators and people who are grabbing tribal land,” said the Home Minister.

    The “greed of vote bank politics” can never be greater than the welfare of Jharkhand’s tribals, he said. The senior BJP leader claimed the tribal diaspora won’t forgive Soren for playing with their future and will teach him a lesson in 2024. 

    “Intruders have forcefully been marrying the tribal girls in order to grab their land…I have come here to warn Hemant Soren that he must stop these infiltrators or the people of Jharkhand will never forgive you,” said Shah. 

    Shah alleged that Hemant Soren had fooled youths in the name of education, duped Moolwasi (native) in the name of jobs and deceived tribals in the name of 1932 Khatiyan (bill defining Jharkhand’s locals on the basis of land survey records of 1932).

    “Survey of Chaibasa was done in 1964, now they say that jobs will be given to the locals on the basis of the 1932 Khatiyan…now tell me whether people of Chaibasa will ever get a job? Why you are dividing the state in the name of 1932 Khatiyan?” questioned Amit Shah further adding, “Just increase the number of jobs and if you have no guts to do it…. Then please vacate the seat, we will take the state on the path of development.”

    “Tribal-Non-tribal, backward-tribal….. What is this? Why you are up to ruining Jharkhand, despite the fact that people of this state made you the Chief Minister and you have handed over the entire government into the hands of robbers,” the senior BJP leader alleged.

    The BJP has always respected tribals and for the first time in the history of India, a poor tribal woman Droupadi Murmu was made the President of India, he added.

    The Union Home Minister claimed the BJP had also increased the budget for tribals from Rs 21,000 crore to Rs 86,000 crore, brought drinking water to 1.3 crore tribal households, constructed toilets in 1.43 tribal households and increased the number of Adivasi Eklavya Vidyalaya from 167 under the Congress’ rule to 680 under the saffron party’s rule.

    Counting the achievements of the Raghubar Das Government in Jharkhand, Shah asked Hemant Soren to tell the people here what he has done during the last three years. “Hemant Soren has done nothing during the last three years…..he has done corruption, he has squandered the tribal land to the infiltrators, he has been doing vote bank politics in spite of protecting the tribal men and women,” said Shah.

    He expressed confidence that this time the people will definitely vote for change as they want to change this “useless and corrupt” government in Jharkhand.

    RANCHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Hemant Soren, claiming the Jharkhand government was working against the interests of the Tribal community 

    Speaking at the BJP’s Vikas Mahasankalp rally on Saturday, Shah claimed the Jharkhand government was “anti-tribal” despite having a tribal Chief Minister and accused Soren of playing vote bank politics.

    “The Chief Minister of this state is a tribal, but his government is anti-tribal. Corruption is at its peak in this government, which is favourable for mediators and people who are grabbing tribal land,” said the Home Minister.

    The “greed of vote bank politics” can never be greater than the welfare of Jharkhand’s tribals, he said. The senior BJP leader claimed the tribal diaspora won’t forgive Soren for playing with their future and will teach him a lesson in 2024. 

    “Intruders have forcefully been marrying the tribal girls in order to grab their land…I have come here to warn Hemant Soren that he must stop these infiltrators or the people of Jharkhand will never forgive you,” said Shah. 

    Shah alleged that Hemant Soren had fooled youths in the name of education, duped Moolwasi (native) in the name of jobs and deceived tribals in the name of 1932 Khatiyan (bill defining Jharkhand’s locals on the basis of land survey records of 1932).

    “Survey of Chaibasa was done in 1964, now they say that jobs will be given to the locals on the basis of the 1932 Khatiyan…now tell me whether people of Chaibasa will ever get a job? Why you are dividing the state in the name of 1932 Khatiyan?” questioned Amit Shah further adding, “Just increase the number of jobs and if you have no guts to do it…. Then please vacate the seat, we will take the state on the path of development.”

    “Tribal-Non-tribal, backward-tribal….. What is this? Why you are up to ruining Jharkhand, despite the fact that people of this state made you the Chief Minister and you have handed over the entire government into the hands of robbers,” the senior BJP leader alleged.

    The BJP has always respected tribals and for the first time in the history of India, a poor tribal woman Droupadi Murmu was made the President of India, he added.

    The Union Home Minister claimed the BJP had also increased the budget for tribals from Rs 21,000 crore to Rs 86,000 crore, brought drinking water to 1.3 crore tribal households, constructed toilets in 1.43 tribal households and increased the number of Adivasi Eklavya Vidyalaya from 167 under the Congress’ rule to 680 under the saffron party’s rule.

    Counting the achievements of the Raghubar Das Government in Jharkhand, Shah asked Hemant Soren to tell the people here what he has done during the last three years. “Hemant Soren has done nothing during the last three years…..he has done corruption, he has squandered the tribal land to the infiltrators, he has been doing vote bank politics in spite of protecting the tribal men and women,” said Shah.

    He expressed confidence that this time the people will definitely vote for change as they want to change this “useless and corrupt” government in Jharkhand.